Muneshwers, John Fernandes to build US$285M port in Berbice – Pres Ali

…says no need for ‘socioeconomic study’ to provide development for citizens

Local shipping competitors Muneshwers Limited and John Fernandes Limited are teaming up once again – this time to construct a US$285 million port facility in Berbice.
The announcement of the port facility was made by President Dr Irfaan Ail during a community outreach at New Amsterdam, Region Six, (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Saturday.
According to the Head of State, since taking office in 2020, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has invested billions of dollars not just in the region but in the New Amsterdam municipality alone. This includes in excess of $1 billion in the education sector and another $2.3 billion in human resources development.
There were also significant investments in other sectors such as agriculture and infrastructure – all geared towards enhancing the region’s economic development, with more to come.
One such initiative to come is a port facility by a local consortium formed by shipping competitors, Muneshwers Limited and John Fernandes Limited, which is currently putting together the funds for the first phase of a port facility along the Berbice River.
“They want to turn the sod for that investment in the coming weeks. That investment of US$285 million would create 1,000 jobs,” President Ali disclosed.
Apart from that, the Guyanese Head of State pointed out that his Government is currently working with an international company, Bechtel, on the possible development of a deep-water port in Berbice.
“This will support the next gas development here in Region Six,” he added.
President Ali noted that all this will be supported by a new four-lane highway stretching from the Berbice River Bridge, all the way to Moleson Creek, and to connect to the Corentyne River Bridge, which will provide road connectivity between Guyana and Suriname.
The Government also wants to position Guyana as a key transport hub, leveraging the country’s geographical position at the northern edge of the South American continent and easy connections to Brazil and Suriname.
He explained that the region will not be isolated with new plans to upgrade the current floating two-lane Berbice River Bridge.
“We are going to build a full four-lane bridge like the Demerara River Bridge right here – a high four-lane bridge.”

Tech advances for the region
Meanwhile, President Ali also spoke of other plans his administration has, which include transforming the data payment platform, which will make payment faster and easier.
“With your phone you would be able to make a payment anywhere in this country; you will be able to transfer money because we are now developing a digital payment platform. So, when the farmer finishes working in the fields of the vendor finishes working in the market, they can go home and if they want to buy back stocks in Georgetown, you don’t have to go with a taxi and buy your stocks and put it in the taxi; you then go online and buy all that you have to buy and get somebody to pick it up and bring it down – that is the future,” President Ali told a cheering audience.
The Head of State, who also held meetings in East Canje and the Corentyne, said he was particularly pleased with the turnout in New Amsterdam as he outlined a number of initiatives that were done to transform the town.
Reading a letter from the Housing Ministry, the head of State told residents that every applicant who would have applied for a house lot on or before December 31, 2024, will be allocated a house lot before the end of 2025.4.12
”We want to bring the backlog in allocation to zero in Region Six,” Ali announced.
Continuing his disclosure on the impact the digital payment platform will have on the society, President Ali pointed out that phones will be linked to medical clinics.
“So that when you have to go to the clinic you won’t have to go from 6:00 in the morning and wait. On the phone you will get medical consultation that will give you your appointment so that you can go exactly for your appointment time.”
He said the future that his administration is investing in is one that will remove human biases.
“Not one that you will have to go to Georgetown to renew your licence. You come into the regional office and like an ATM machine, you put your licences inside, make your payment digitally and you renew your licence right here in Region Six,” Ali disclosed.
Speaking of the removal of human biases, the Guyanese Head of State pointed out the smart cameras being installed on all the roads are not because they want people to pay tickets.
“It is because we wanted a disciplined society, a society in which we look out for each other, a society in which life matters; in which we take responsibility for each other and one in which we understand that when we are given a licence to drive it is not a licence to kill; it is a licence to drive.”

Knocking the opposition
Meanwhile, acknowledging that those initiatives with transform the lives of all Guyanese, President Ali pointed out that his Government does not need to carry out a ‘socioeconomic impact study’ to provide development for citizens.
His administration’s approach contrasts to that of the previous administration in that regard he noted.
“In regard to the closing of the estates, they did not understand that the estate was more than the workers. The estates were critically integrated into the lives of the society.”
Ali reminded that the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government said they did not need a socioeconomic study to close the estates – and in so doing sent tens of thousands to the breadline.
He noted that the closure of the four sugar estates affected persons directly and indirectly.
“They did not need a socioeconomic study for sending tens of thousands to the breadline, but when I announced the removal of the tolls from August 1, at all of the bridges including the Berbice Bridge, the leadership of the APNU and AFC asked where was the socioeconomic study done to remove that toll.”
President Ali said his administration does not need a socioeconomic study to bring relief to citizens and make things better for residents.